This NewsletterThis e-mail is being sent to you today because you either are now, or have been, involved in archery and the possibility exists that you might want an occasional heads-up on what is going on with archery in Texas through this new version of our newsletters.

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CONTENT CONTROL: as a subscriber you can, WE HOPE YOU WILL, send information, stories, archery tournament writeups or neat photos, etc. at anytime to the webmaster@texasarchery.org for inclusion in this archery newsletter or on the website. Thank you and may your arrows always tune easy.TSAA Website URL

Bulletin From The NAAFrom a pharmacist(webmaster): A drug called Epoetin ("EPO" for short) is a real lifesaver for medical patients that need help in making enough red blood cells(RBCs). RBCs are vital for carrying oxygen and EPO stimulates the formation of RBCs, which in turn makes it tempting for athletes who feel that they need an "edge" in oxygen-carrying ability during heavy competition. But EPO is not without dangerous side effects, even for those healthy athletes in the very tip-top of physical form. Ironically, there is a new drug similar to EPO that will cause several times the effect of EPO on RBC production, with predictable complications for athletes, so this message is very timely indeed.

Rick Mack of the NAA has sent out the following message:The following article was provided to the NGBs(ed.note: National Governing Board) by the USOC with a recommendation that it be distributed, particularly to athletes. Hopefully this is not a problem in Archery, but it's worth a heads-up nonetheless.

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The banned performance-enhancing substance EPO is already known as one of the most dangerous forms of doping in sport, and now a new case report adds to the evidence.

In the February issue of Neurology, Spanish physicians describe the case of a professional cyclist who developed a blood clot in his brain after regular use of an EPO-containing "drug cocktail." The 26-year-old athlete was also using the muscle-building human growth hormone--also banned from sport--along with high doses of vitamins A and E. Growth hormone can increase red blood cell mass and elevate blood pressure in the brain, but the EPO probably caused the patient's clot, Dr. Jose Manuel Martinez Lage, lead author on the report, told Reuters Health. poetin, or EPO as it is commonly known, is a lab-created version of the natural hormone erythropoietin. This hormone helps spur the production of red blood cells, and EPO is used in medicine to treat some cases of severe anemia. The substance has become a favorite among endurance athletes including distance cyclists and runners because the increase in red blood cells allows more oxygen to be delivered to working muscles. But this boost in blood cells can also thicken the blood to the point of increasing the user's risk of heart attack or stroke. EPO use has been blamed in the deaths of around 20 European cyclists since the late 1980s.

According to Lage and his colleagues at the Clinica Universitaria de Navarra in Pamplona, Spain, their case illustrates how EPO, in combination with other factors such as dehydration from heavy exertion, can have "serious side effects" in healthy individuals. The patient first came to them with a headache that had persisted for 2 months and worsened during a competition the previous week. He admitted to using EPO every couple of days for the past 3 months, along with the growth hormone and vitamins. Brain scans revealed the blood clot, and the patient was treated successfully with blood-thinning drugs over several months.

Korean Archery Today by Chris Shull, US Archery TeamIf you have not heard about it already, Guy Krueger and myself have taken a trip to South Korea for some training over our spring break (2002) from Texas A&M University.

Guy and I are wrapping up day five in Korea, and I'm not sure how to describe how much we have learned. Mr. Park, Kyung Rae of Win and Win, and everyone else, have bent over backwards to make us welcome.

There are many rumors flying about there being 100 men shooting 1300 or better, how everyone shoots four or five hundred arrows a day etc. etc., In Korea. But I have learned that these rumors are TRUE.

To start, the high school team we have been training with has been shooting 500 arrows a day, and my fingers are quite sore. We shoot blank bale and a FITA in the morning, another FITA and blank bale after lunch, and two more hours after dinner, under lights. When it gets cold we go inside a small building with a heater and shoot out the windows. These kids shoot ALL day. They have been selected to train at the National Phys Ed High school, and archery is their "major". It is hard to imagine the US Juniors being able to keep up with a program like this, as we would wind up in jail if we skipped math class to practice.

Mr. Yim, the coach at the high school, asked us what the average salary of coaches in the USA is. We replied that most coaches are volunteers with other jobs, and even those that are fortunate enough to earn a salary are not making the big bucks. The was a foreign idea to Mr. Yim, as archery coaching in Korea is a true profession. There are 40 or 50 high school teams, another 30 or 40 corporate teams, and a handful of university teams, all with full time coaches.

Today we watched the Seoul elementary school archery championships, where they shoot 30 and 20 meters. The winners shot in the 340's at 30 meters, and they are only 10 or 12 years old!!!!!!!!!!! They all have better form than ME... I'm telling you, these people know how train their shooters, these kids were text book in technique.

The food has been extremely spicy, and we always eat while sitting on the floor. I should have done more stretching before I left, as my legs don't like to cross.

Today we shot with the National Sports University archery team, after a stop at the Win and Win factory with Mr. Park. The university range is built 50 feet up in the air, on the roof of an ice skating rink. I have pictures that you won't believe.

I have not met a shooter yet, over the age of 17, who was not shooting at least at the low 1300 level. When we arrived at the high school their coach asked us what our best scores were. Guy and I replied "1310-1315" He gave us a blank stare and said "That's all?" His best guys shoot in the 1330's, and his best girl shot a 1365 a few days ago. (She tried a different bow and only shot a 1320, so she went back to her old setup and shot a 1340 again.)

I'll write up a full story later. I think Guy and I will write an article or two about the trip for Archery Focus Magazine when we return. Anybody know who to talk to about organizing that?

We have three more days of shooting adventures to come, and I'm sure we will continue to be amazed.

Upcoming Events For OutdoorsThere are a number of events for the Texas Summer/Outdoor SeasonPlease check the calendar for times, locations, and especially for the online registration forms. The Lone Star FITA (an NAA Star FITA event) is coming up soonest so be sure to register for this fun Austin event.Calendar on the TSAA Website

Cover of Archery FocusIt used to be that it was neat to be on the cover of the Rolling Stone. Nowadays, the fun cover to watch for is the cover of Archery Focus which always presents a fascinating and unique archery-related photograph. They've elevated the cover to an art form, frankly.This month the Archery Focus cover is a photograph taken by the President of the TSAA, Rick Stonebraker. Once you see this photo, you have to say to yourself, "Of Course - what a perfect idea!" Sure glad Rick thought of it.

State Field 2002TSAA State Field Championship has been scheduled for May 11 & 12, 2002.

Both days will be MARKED distances shooting at 24 targets from 10-60 meters for adults. Barebow, junior, cadet, archer, and cub distances are from 5-50 meters.

There will be an Informal unmarked round on Saturday May 11 at 8:00 a.m. EXPLANATION OF INFORMAL UNMARKED ROUND FOR THIS TOURNAMENT: This will be conducted using FITA field rules and will not be part of the "state championship" but WILL allow people to prepare for the NAA national field championship. Distances will be from 5 to 50 meters and requires you to indicate in the registration form that you will be participating. The price will be only an extra $5.00. For those who can't make it by 8:00, I think a late start will be okay but you would need to start by 8 am to complete all 24 targets (if all 24 are set-up). Maybe only 12 unmarked will be set-up. Information will be relayed when necessary. Last year we had 27 field archers which tied the record. If we have less than 30 registered archers, we may only set-up 12 targets. If we get a large attendance (which we hope) then a full 24 will be set-up so that hinges on the attendance numbers. The webmaster will send out a notice to all attendees near the registration deadline to let you know.

So, if there is a large enough attendance, there will be 24 targets. If not, only 12 targets and then we can have two times to shoot unmarked: at 8:00 and 10:00.This will not be a flat course. There will be uphill, downhill, and side hill shots. There will be some flat stuff as well but be prepared to shoot 10 meters at as severe an angle as we can provide. Might want to stand on the roof of your house (CAREFULLY!) and practice shooting straight down.

Volunteers are welcome and can also shoot the unmarked course if they choose. It will be fun! John Blaschke has agreed to host the event on his outstanding facility. This promises to be the best state field ever.

Reminder: Formal Rounds: 3 arrows per target for 24 targets for a total of 72 arrows each day. check the TSAA Calendar for more information and online registration form.

Off-Archery TopicOur Off-Archery topic this time is more fun for the older crowd. Want to know how old you were "when" ? Warning: this link has NOTHING to do with archery and the javascript is off by a year for some folk. But it's fun. Fun Age Calculator . Next year we'll add "how old were you when Britany Spears was born"...

Archery StandoutThe standout Archer this time around is Trey Reagan, who has been awarded a substantial scholarship for his good work at school and 4H. For information please check This link to our Good News Section

Tourney ResultsThe results of the National Indoor Championships portion that was shot in College Station at A&M have been posted on the Aggie Website Link HERE uses FRAMES.

If your browser does not support frames, you can use this local link to the TSAA's website and view a simple page of the results.

We will send a notice to all subscribers of our e-mail list when the NAA releases the full certified results, including the URL to see the results. As of this writing, only the A&M site has posted information on their participants' scores. Way to go, AGGIES!!!! (I can't believe I, a Teasip, just said that!)

What to do (or not) with those "oversize aluminum" shaftsSomeone posted a message a few years back regarding how he used, or rather, misused, a freshly fletched 2514 shaft. Well, these are now illegal for FITA competition, but perhaps this anecdote will help you decide how to re-use yours. Mad Mikey's Story

National Indoor 2002 Pictures (from A&M Site)The pictures from the NAA's National Indoor Championship of 2002 held in College Station at A&M University are available for your review at this link.Additional photos are here.We will send you a notice for the final results' location on the NAA website when they are certified and available.

JOAD Archery Offering by Jim KruegerAs a way to assist JOAD and 4-H archery clubs in getting all of their equipment, Jim Krueger is providing an equipment offering service for youth-related clubs. To review a list of selected, typical archery gear that have very competitive pricing ONLY for JOADs, 4-H, or Boy/Girl Scout Camp clubs, please check this link.

TSAA Message BoardOriginally started solely to assist parents of JOAD archers with questions and information, the TSAA Message Board has expanded to allow archers to place wanted/for resale adverts, small business adverts, and general archery discussions. We ask only that you maintain the same good manners and behavior there as you would on the shooting line. Please register with your real name, and enjoy. TSAA Message Board